amyvl93's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This one follows Poppy and Alex, who met on their first day at university and who become close friends who go on one big summer trip each year, which move from cheap student type trips when they first meet through to much fancier ones as Poppy starts working at a travel magazine. However, a couple of years ago something happened which meant they haven't spoken since. The action of the novel really kicks off when Poppy manages to convince Alex to go on one last trip with her, for old times sake.
One thing I think this novel taught me is that friends-to-lovers, at least over a 12 year period, is perhaps not my favourite trope. Poppy and Alex knew each other for ages, and had so many opportunities to tell the other how they felt about each other but they just...don't. I felt especially bad for Sarah, Alex's on-and-off again girlfriend who Poppy is mean about because she thinks Sarah doesn't like her (um...I'm not surprised?) and who I hope is thriving with an emotionally available man.
Unlike it seems a lot of reviewers, perhaps because I wasn't as invested in the relationship, I quite liked the details about the trips that we get over the years. I also quite liked Henry's portrayal of people who work as influencers for both Poppy and her friend Rachel. I also found that the other relationships around the couple were quite well drawn as well.
All in all, definitely going to continue to read what Henry puts out but this is probably 3 out of 3 for me.
Moderate: Grief
witcheslovingwitches's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Bullying and Death of parent
Minor: Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Grief, Cancer, and Animal death
bekkaru's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Grief, and Bullying
angelfireeast24's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Spoiler
very spicy book. The character's journey is a moving one. You want to scream to get it together but when characters finally go through self reflection and theapy I found myself feeling it was prefect. Poppy needed to confront herself and find herself. Alex needed to confront his fears. I lovethe open future for them. They are together but where they will live is undecided.Graphic: Cursing, Death of parent, Sexual content, Bullying, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Animal death, Medical content, and Drug use
fionamatilda's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Death of parent, Bullying, Sexual content, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol and Drug use
lisavandonselaar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, Death, and Grief
Minor: Animal death and Pregnancy
2kyr6's review
Minor: Animal death and Grief
ju_harue's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Eu não consegui me conectar tão bem assim com os personagens, apesar de achar interessante o assunto mais pesado abordado no romance.
Apesar de tudo, a escrita de Emily é boa a ponto de me fazer querer terminar a história, ficar curiosa pra onde estava indo além do final já esperado.
Minor: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Grief
gabriellesimpson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Bullying
Minor: Pregnancy
itzme's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Bullying, Grief, and Drug use